Some Things I Have Learned from Blogging

Last updated on: September 3, 2015 at 7:54 am by Roger E. Olson

Some Things I Have Learned from Blogging 2015-09-03T07:54:13-05:00 Roger E. Olson

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I am now approaching, and may even have gone over, one thousand distinct blog posts here. (I do not think I have ever re-posted exactly the same blog post twice.) This blog began before it was “adopted” by Patheos, so I’m not sure exactly how many posts I have written. I only see the statistics on Patheos. Blogging has been a learning experience for me—especially as my readership has grown and become increasingly diverse in terms of perspectives, worldviews, theologies and philosophies.

First, before expressing what I have learned, I want to say how much I have enjoyed writing this blog and interacting with the very many sincere interlocutors who have posted questions and comments. The announced purpose of the blog is twofold: 1) For me to have a forum for expressing my theological musings, and 2) To stimulate and invite thought and discussion about the subjects of my musings. Insofar as those purposes have been kept to by me and my interlocutors, blogging here has been a fulfilling experience. I have learned much from many of you.

The first thing I have learned that never ceases to amaze me is this: No matter what I say here, no matter how self-evident it seems to me, if my audience is large enough (and it is quite large) someone will contradict what I said. If I say here that two plus two equals four, someone, somewhere in the world, will challenge that. (That may be hyperbole but only almost.) I can take almost nothing for granted—as common knowledge or settled fact.

A second thing I have learned relates to the first. Almost every word I choose, no matter how carefully I choose it, can lead to misunderstanding. Making myself clear, avoiding misunderstanding, requires a great deal of thought and care. Even when I carefully define a word, explaining what I mean by it and don’t mean by it, someone will misunderstand and assume a meaning I did not intend. “Clear and distinct ideas” are hard to come by and, in fact, may be completely elusive, and that because (I suspect) of pluralism of perspectives. I am constantly learning how elastic words are, how open to interpretation they are, how no amount of defining is ever completely sufficient to cause everyone to understand, let alone agree.

A third thing I have learned is that there are certain “hot topics” that not only draw attention but also draw “fire.” When I write about: gender issues (especially feminism), homosexuality (especially gay rights), atheism, Mormonism, Calvinism, and certain other subjects people come to argue with me who would never otherwise read this blog. I’m not sure what explains that, how they find out. The problem that creates is that they have no idea who I am or what I believe—other than what I wrote in a particular blog post. Often they bring a bag of assumptions about me that are not true. Liberal-leaning interlocutors tend to assume I’m a fundamentalist; conservative-leaning interlocutors tend to assume I’m a liberal. Feminists often assume I’m a male chauvinist pig; anti-feminists often assume I’m a male-hater. I have to remind myself all the time that very few people have read enough of what I have written to really understand where I’m “coming from.” When I write a post, inevitably, I am assuming all that I have written before. I do not have time or space to repeat every relevant thought I have expressed on the subject. Many responses would be quite different if interlocutors knew me better, knew all my expressed opinions on a subject, or if they just gave me the benefit of the doubt.

A fourth thing I’ve learned is to put on my “thick skin” when moderating comments—especially after I post something controversial. (And, as I said before, with a large enough audience anything I say can be controversial!) I have learned that most people are more inclined to express disagreement than agreement. I have to remind myself that “out there,” among my readers,” are probably many people who agree with what I wrote but that they are less likely to say so than those who disagree. Not believing that could have the effect of making feel very isolated and alone.

A fifth thing I have learned is that some people just want to argue. That’s not what this blog is for although I enjoy a good argument so long as it stays civil and respectful of persons. The stated purpose of this blog is dialogue. But, of course, some people don’t come here for that; some come just to argue and sometimes just to express a contrary opinion without any openness to critical response. I have learned to recognize such people by the fact that no matter what I ask or say they just keep repeating themselves often in increasingly volatile ways. After a while I have to begin ignoring them and move on.

Finally, a sixth thing I have learned is that there are many highly intelligent, thoughtful, interested inquiring minds out there who enjoy a lively discussion—as do I. I look forward to their thoughts—even when we disagree. I do not expect agreement. As I said, I enjoy a good argument so long as it remains civil and respectful of persons and moves forward toward enlightenment and understanding (not necessarily agreement). That’s what keeps me doing this. Or I should say they are what keep me doing this. And I keep doing it because I know there are very many people out there who never comment or ask a question but who enjoy reading my ideas. How do I know? Because they tell me—not so often here but in private e-mails or conversations when I meet them.

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